Andrew McMahon

Andrew McMahon (http://www.clevelandleader.com/node/7642)

Andrew McMahon is an accomplished musician mostly known for his work in the bands Jack's Mannequin and Something Corporate. Andrew was born on September 3, 1982 in Concord, Massachusetts. As he grew up he lived in many different places due to the travelling for his father's job. After the death of his uncle who was also an avid musician Andrew was inspired to make music. He eventually taught himself how to play piano. While still in high school Andrew and his friends/fellow bandmates formed the piano pop band Something Corporate. The band was a moderate success with three albums (Ready... Break, Leaving Through The Window, and North), two extended plays (Audioboxer and Songs For Silent Movies), a live album, two video albums and one greatest hits compilation (Played In Space: The Best Of Something Corporate). In 2004 Something Corporate went on hiatus. With no recording contracts the band faded away. In 2005 Andrew revealed his new side project Jack's Mannequin and it's first album "Everything In Transit". On the day that recording was completed Andrew was diagnosed with Leukemia which was originally though to be a relentless case of laryngitis. Thankfully the disease was caught in it's early stages and a full recovery was likely. Throughout his treatment Andrew kept his fans informed of his condition through blogs, videos, and other things. On August 23, 2005 "Everything In Transit" was released and Andrew received a stem cell transplant from his sister Katie. "Everything In Transit" sold 22,000 copies in it's first week and went on to be re-issued with a bonus disk featuring live performances of many of the album's songs. As of 2008 Andrew's leukemia has been in remission. Jack's Mannequin released their sophomore album "The Glass Passenger" on September 30, 2008. The album featured the band's second and highest charting single "The Resolution". In late 2009 a documentary known as "Dear Jack" was released. The film depicted Andrew's struggles during the time he had leukemia. The film was made using home videos from Andrew and interview with friends and loved ones. Fast forward a few years and now the band is preparing to release their third album "People and Things" on October 4, 2011. The band plans to tour promoting the album into the spring of 2012. However, Andrew McMahon is a hero for more reasons than his musical talent.

People and Things (Album #3) (http://www.jacksmannequin.com/discography)

Andrew is also a well known philanthropist. He not only supports many organizations but he also has one of his own. Andrew started a non-profit organization called the "Dear Jack Foundation" in 2006. The foundation is run by volunteer only employees to allow all profits to go to just causes. The Dear Jack Foundation has supported many causes including the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and more. The Dear Jack Foundation has a merchandise store featuring shirts, dvds, posters, and more which all go towards causes and help spread the word at the same time. Andrew also partakes in Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Light The Night Walk each year. If the organization reaches it's goal of $125,000 for the walk they will have donated a total amount of $500,000 to the cause. McMahon has also been known to support the 11:11 AM charity which actually got it's name from Konstantine by Something Corporate. With such phenomenal talent and selflessness it seems as if there is nothing that Andrew can't do.

Andrew performing live. (http://browse.deviantart.com/?q=jack's%20mannequin&order=9&offset=48#/d3myknx)

Andrew McMahon is a fantastic man that sees the world around him before himself. Never the kind of person to place themselves before anything else, he will always do the right thing. Whether he is saving people through his music or through his philanthropy, he is always working for the greater good. With another album around the corner and almost endless plans for the Dear Jack Foundation. Fans and supporters can count on Andrew to stick around for a while. Andrew will continue to inspire thousands and make a difference through his one of a kind music and organization.

Andrew